PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET N.W. WASHINGTON, DC 20554 ___________________________________________________ News media Information 202/418-0500 Recorded listing of releases and texts 202/418-2222. Report No. SPB-89July 22, 1997 APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR FILING; CUT-OFF ESTABLISHED FOR ADDITIONAL SPACE STATION APPLICATIONS AND LETTERS OF INTENT IN THE 36-51.4 GHz FREQUENCY BAND The Commission has found, upon initial review, that the following application filed by Motorola Satellite Systems, Inc. for authority to construct, launch and operate a non-geostationary orbit satellite (NGSO) system in the fixed satellite service (FSS) is acceptable for filing. The Commission reserves the right to return this application, however, if upon further review it is determined to be defective or not in conformance with the Commission's rules, regulations and policies. Motorola Satellite Systems, Inc. File Nos. 157-SAT-P/LA-96(72) 19-SAT-AMEND-96 Motorola has filed an application for authority to construct, launch and operate its M-Star system, a global network of 72 non-geostationary communications satellites providing broadband services utilizing spectrum in the 36-51.4 GHz frequency band ("40 GHz"). Motorola requests three types of radio links: service links, intersatellite links, and tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) links. The service links will operate in the fixed-satellite service in the 37.5-40.5 GHz band (space-to-Earth) and the 47.2-50.2 GHz band (Earth-to- space). The intersatellite links will operate in the intersatellite service band allocation at 59.0- 64.0 GHz and 65.0-71.0 GHz frequency bands. The TT&C high gain links will operate in the 37.5-40.5 GHz band (space-to-Earth) and the 47.2-50.2 GHz band (Earth-to-space), with up to six sites providing TT&C service. Motorola requests a limited waiver of the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations to allow use of the 37.5-38.6 GHz band in the United States pending the outcome of a rulemaking seeking to conform the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations at that band to the worldwide allocation. (See RM-8811, Public Notice, Report No. 2132 (May 21, 1996)). The proposed M-Star system will consist of a constellation of interconnected 72 non- geostationary satellites in an inclined orbit, in 12 planes of six satellites each. The constellation will be inclined at 47ø with respect to the equator and will be in circular orbits at an altitude of 1350 km. Each satellite will contain multiple "bent pipe" transponders, spot beam antennas pointed toward the Earth, and intersatellite link antennas pointed toward each of four adjacent satellites to allow for global interconnection for the transport of real-time voice and data services. The M-Star system would provide two categories of services. The first category includes voice and data transport to service providers and business customers at 2.048 Mbps to and from multiple remote sites which can be backhauled to a hub at 51.84 Mbps. The second category of service includes interconnection services at up to 51.84 Mbps. The M-Star user locations will consist of single or multiple ground terminals providing access to the satellite constellation with antenna aperture sizes from 0.66 to 1.5 meters and will support bit rates from 2.048 to 51.84 Mbps. Construction would begin within six months of authorization with the first satellite launched within 26 months. Full deployment is estimated within 48 months of authorization. Comments or petitions regarding this application may be filed on or before August 21, 1997. Replies and oppositions may be filed on or before September 2, 1997. Responses may be filed on or before September 8, 1997. CUT-OFF ESTABLISHED FOR ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS On March 24, 1997, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making to allocate and designate 4 GHz of spectrum for NGSO and geostationary satellite orbit (GSO) FSS systems. The Commission proposed to designate 37.5-38.5 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 48.2- 49.2 GHz (Earth-to-space) bands for NGSO/FSS systems and the 40.5-41.5 GHz (space-to- Earth) and 49.2-50.2 GHz (Earth-to-space) bands for GSO/FSS systems. In addition, the Commission recently adopted a Report and Order designating the 47.2-48.2 GHz frequency band for commercial services. Amendments On September 4, 1996, Motorola filed an application to construct, launch and operate its M- Star satellite system utilizing the 40 GHz band. The Bureau invites Motorola to file conforming amendments, if necessary, to update its pending application. New Applicants The Bureau invites new applications to construct, launch and operate U.S.-licensed space stations to provide satellite services in the 40 GHz band. Non-U.S. Licensed Space Station Applicants The Bureau invites those entities seeking to operate in the United States using non-U.S. licensed space stations, including satellite operators that propose to provide 40 GHz space segment capacity, to file an earth station application proposing to operate with a non-U.S. licensed space station. Alternatively, these entities may file a letter of intent to provide satellite service in the 40 GHz band in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Public Notice released by the Commission on April 16, 1997. We do not intend to require space stations who are licensed by or are pursuing a license from another administration to obtain a separate (and duplicative) space station license from the United States before serving the U.S. market. Filings Each conforming amendment, new application, or letter of intent must include a concrete, comprehensive proposal for its proposed system, describing in detail all pertinent technical, operational and ownership aspects of the system and its ability to proceed expeditiously with construction and launch. This should include the information specified in Section 25.114 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR  25.114. Those submitting letters of intent or earth station applications to operate with non-U.S. licensed satellites need not, however, file the financial information required under Section 25.114(c)(17) and (18) and Section 25.143(b)(2) through 25.114(b)(3) for systems already in-orbit and operating. For non-U.S. satellite systems that have already completed coordination through the International Telecommunication Union, it is not necessary to file technical information specified in Section 25.114(c)(5) through 25.114(c)(11) and Section 25.114(c)(14), unless the technical characteristics of the proposed system differ from the characteristics established in the ITU coordination process. Pursuant to Section 25.155 of the rules, 47 C.F.R.  25.155, interested parties wishing to file: (1) amendments to existing U.S. space station applications; (2) new U.S. space station applications to operate in the United States, (3) earth station applications, or (4) letters of intent to use non-U.S. licensed space stations to be considered in the First 40 GHz Band Processing Round must do so on or before August 21, 1997. Proposals that fail to provide all required information in their filings as of the cut-off date will be dismissed as unacceptable for filing. Proposals should also include the appropriate filing fee. Applicants filing by the cut-off date will be afforded an opportunity to amend their applications, if necessary, to conform with any requirements and policies that may be adopted subsequently for space stations in these bands. For further information, contact Virginia Marshall (202) 418-0778 and Kathleen Campbell at (202) 418-0753. * * * * * * Paperwork Reduction Act Notification Pursuant to 5 CFR  1320.5(b)(1) and (2)(i), potential respondents are notified that they are not required to respond to a collection of information sponsored or conducted by the Federal government unless (1) the collection displays a currently valid OMB control number and (2) notice of the requirement to display the currently valid OMB control number is given. This Public Notice contains collections that have been assigned OMB control numbers 3060-0678 (Part 25) and 3060-0772 (Public Notice, Report No. SPB-80). - FCC -